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Crews use drone in rescue of hiker stuck on Utah cliff side

ST. GEORGE, Utah (AP) — Crews have used a drone to help rescue a hiker trapped on a ledge at night in southern Utah.

The St. George News reports the Washington County Sheriff’s Search and Rescue team sent the drone to light up the pitch-black cliff where the 60-year-old man was stuck Wednesday night.

Sgt. Darrell Cashin says other hikers heard the man shouting for help and called authorities. Crews arrived as the sun was setting and eventually found the man about 60 feet up a cliff side at Snow Canyon State Park in Ivins.

The drone lit the way as rescuers climbed up to the man and repelled him down to safety.

Cashin says the agency is also using drones to help find lost people, relay messages and transport small items.